Prompt: We have been spending the last few days learning about American government and the uniqueness of our democracy and our freedoms and rights. The United States is a country that is made up of many different kinds of people. This diversity and acceptance of differences is what makes America such a great place to live! Here, we will be reading Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and creating poems about the "songs" we hear.
I Hear America Singing Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear; Those of mechanics—each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong; The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work; The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat—the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck; The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench—the hatter singing as he stands; The wood-cutter’s song—the ploughboy’s, on his way in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown; The delicious singing of the mother—or of the young wife at work—or of the girl sewing or washing— Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else; The day what belongs to the day— At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.
Prewriting: After reading Whitman's poem, take a moment to think of unique sights or people in your day to day life. When you hear the words "American citizen" who or what do you think of?
Drafting:
Begin your poem with: "I hear America singing, the different songs I hear;" For lines 2-8, begin each line with "The" followed by someone you think of when you hear the word "American" and a brief description of them. Lines 9 and 10 will describe places you think of as being "American" during the day and night, respectively. Line 11 will be "Everyone in America sings together, yet they sing their own song."
We All Hear Different Songs By: Rachel McSwain
I hear America singing, the different songs I hear; The bank teller - singing his, smiling at me as he deposits my paycheck; The librarian singing hers, shushing teenagers in the stacks, The gas station attendant singing because his shop is full of customers, filling coffee cups on their commute. The teacher, singing hope to her middle school students, The garage band drummer, singing to his guitarist, vocalist, and concrete wall, The businessman, in his pinstripe suit, singing as his dress shoes tap on the sidewalk, The homeless living in Moore Square, even they sing their own songs,
By day, the housewives mill around Cameron Village, swiping their credit cards furiously.
At night, only a few windows twinkle at the top of the Wachovia building downtown.
Everyone in America sings together, yet they sing their own song.
Prompt:
We have been spending the last few days learning about American government and the uniqueness of our democracy and our freedoms and rights. The United States is a country that is made up of many different kinds of people. This diversity and acceptance of differences is what makes America such a great place to live! Here, we will be reading Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and creating poems about the "songs" we hear.
I Hear America Singing
Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear;
Those of mechanics—each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;
The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work;
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat—the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench—the hatter singing as he stands;
The wood-cutter’s song—the ploughboy’s, on his way in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;
The delicious singing of the mother—or of the young wife at work—or of the girl sewing or washing—
Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else;
The day what belongs to the day—
At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.
Prewriting:
After reading Whitman's poem, take a moment to think of unique sights or people in your day to day life. When you hear the words "American citizen" who or what do you think of?
Drafting:
Begin your poem with: "I hear America singing, the different songs I hear;"
For lines 2-8, begin each line with "The" followed by someone you think of when you hear the word "American" and a brief description of them.
Lines 9 and 10 will describe places you think of as being "American" during the day and night, respectively.
Line 11 will be "Everyone in America sings together, yet they sing their own song."
We All Hear Different Songs
By: Rachel McSwain
I hear America singing, the different songs I hear;
The bank teller - singing his, smiling at me as he deposits my paycheck;
The librarian singing hers, shushing teenagers in the stacks,
The gas station attendant singing because his shop is full of customers, filling coffee cups on their commute.
The teacher, singing hope to her middle school students,
The garage band drummer, singing to his guitarist, vocalist, and concrete wall,
The businessman, in his pinstripe suit, singing as his dress shoes tap on the sidewalk,
The homeless living in Moore Square, even they sing their own songs,
By day, the housewives mill around Cameron Village, swiping their credit cards furiously.
At night, only a few windows twinkle at the top of the Wachovia building downtown.
Everyone in America sings together, yet they sing their own song.